(BUT,
there's lots of information below that you might find
interesting)
.
Great international rates too, like England at 6.59 cents/minute, and Canada 6.99 cents/minute
Ready to make a decision and sign
up on-line?
(BUT,
there's lots of information below that you might find
interesting)
.
Discount Long Distance Telephone Service
No Monthly Minimum
Business Residential
Offering five types of service (you can select any 1, any mix, or all 5):
1. One+ Outgoing Long Distance Service (dial 1 + area code + number; for calls made FROM your home/business)
2. Toll-free Service (for toll-free calls made TO your home/business.)
3. Calling Card Service (when you're away from your home/business and need to make a phone call that will be charged to your main number; used from any residential, business, or pay phone anywhere in the continental US)
4. Follow Me Anywhere Service (available in about 30-60 days; primarily for business or home offices to get a hold of a person using a single phone number, for example, this service can ring up to 4 phones simultaneously (cell, home, office, pager) to try to get a hold of you)
5. Internet Service (option)
Special features:
The name of the long distance company is Accxx (pronounced "Access").
Do you need to have your questions answered immediately? Call 1-800-267-8276, a direct line to Gordon Storr, Authorized Master Agent for Accxx who will provide you with a one-on-one personal service -- we're not a boiler-plate room of 300+ telephone operators. Approximately 95% of the time you'll get Gordon Storr. (9am-1am Mon-Sat, Sun 1pm-11pm Eastern Time Zone; Central subtract 1 hour, Mountain subtract 2 hours, Pacific subtract 3 hours).
You can call the Master Agent, Gordon Storr at 1-800-267-8276 and verbally give your address and phone number to get service, or you can order on-line now (no paper work to fill out), BUT, you're only through about 10% of the content of this web page -- there is lots of fascinating information left to read, so don't be too hasty. However, if you really don't want to read any more, then either give Gordon Storr a call, or
| CLICK HERE TO ORDER SERVICE ON-LINE |
Want to skip the details and find out how to get this service? We provide you with 9 sections of information about long distance, so before you skip the details:
If you want to order on-line now (no paper work to fill out),.
| CLICK HERE |
If you have a word processor or Adobe Acrobat Reader and want to download the application form now,.
| CLICK HERE |
You can skip over the sections and go directly to the "How to apply for long distance service" section: CLICK HERE
This is a listing as of April 1, 2001 of all the area codes assigned in the 3-digit area code system. These also include those area codes that are special, e.g., the 700 maintenance area code, and those area codes available to specific countries compatible with the US direct dial system, e.g., 242 = Bahamas (1-242-366-0358 can be directly dialed without having to use the "011-country code-number" sequence).
To continue then...
Who is the long distance carrier? The carrier is Accxx (pronounced Access). It is a rebiller of 1+ services (outbound calls), 800 number services (inbound calls), calling card services, and other services that provide enhanced telecommunications available for both residential services as well as businesses. Accxx was formed by principals with over 15 years of customer support so they know the importance of how to properly service their customers.
What are the phone rates? The rate is 4.9 cents/minute interstate (anywhere in the contiguous 47 states) on a month-by-month agreement, that is, no long term agreements are required. About 99% of our customers choose the month-by-month terms, however, long-term agreements are also available to lock in your rate -- please call if you are interested in a long term agreement.
Intrastate rates (calls made from your phone to another phone in your same state) are provided in a rate table later on on this web page. International rates are also provided in a table later on. The calling card rate is 14.9 cents/minute interstate. Toll-free rates are the same rate as your outbound rates, e.g., 4.9 cents/minute interstate for calls made from any of the 47 contiguous states to your phone in your state.
How do individuals and/or businesses sign up for Accxx service?. Accxx service is provide through authorized Agents of Accxx.
CTS, Incorporated of VA (CTS) is an authorized Master Agent of Accxx and provides service to help the individual and/or business get onto Accxx's long distance service. CTS has been in the customer service business for 22+ years. As part of their service business, a relationship as Master Agent with Accxx is a component of CTS's business. CTS also provides for Agents who work in coordination with CTS to establish new customers of Accxx. Gordon Storr is the main contact within CTS for handling Accxx accounts.
If you wish to find out more about being an Agent CLICK HERE.
The individual at CTS who initially establishes your long distance service with Accxx will be your direct personal contact regarding servicing your Accxx account as long as you are a customer of Accxx -- you are never serviced by one of several hundred (or thousand) "workers" like you may find in many of the other long distance carriers.
Is the long distance signal carried on digital fiber optic cables? Yes, but to inform you, almost all long distance carriers now use fiber optic cables for transmission, so this is really not a big "deal" when you are comparing carriers. The main idea here is that your phone conversations are going to be good on the digital fiber optic cables.
Is there a switching fee? Yes, your local telephone carrier does charge a one-time switchover fee. This fee is normally $5 per line, but if price is a concern, you might wish to contact your local telephone carrier for the actual amount that they charge One local telephone company in the US is now starting to charge one $5 fee for the combined interstate/intrastate switch and a second $5 fee for intraLATA switch. IntraLATA is explained next on this web page. Point of note: you can request the intraLATA not to be switched if you wish.. If you are concerned about this one-time switchover fee that your local telephone company charges, please give us a call at 1-800-267-8276 for information on how to get reimbursed for this switchover fee.
Is there a guarantee? The guarantee is that your long distance service quality will be better than or equal to your current service. If in the first ninety days, you are not satisfied with the level of service or quality and we cannot correct the problem to your satisfaction, Accxx will assist in converting you back to your previous long distance service and pay for the charge your local carrier charges for switching your long distance service back. This guarantee is also valid for those choosing the optional lock-in period as long as the request for termination is received within the first 90 days from signing the Letter Of Authorization.
What is intraLATA? IntraLATA is a region defined by your local telephone company that defines a region of common calling areas, usually a region 5-25 miles from your home/business. This region is usually described in the front part of your local telephone book. Note that if you are outside of a metropolitan area, you might not be included in an intraLATA region. The local telephone book will also describe what the cost of calling from one area of the intraLATA region to another phone within that same intraLATA region. The calls that are charged a long distance service are usually billed by your local telephone company on your local telephone bill and are often time-of-day sensitive, that is, there is probably a different rate for day, evening, and/or night calling. The rate that Accxx charges for intraLATA calling is the intrastate rate for the state you reside. The intrastate rate for your particular state is listed later on on this web page. NOTE: this rate may be higher or lower than the intrastate rate charged by Accxx so if you make calls within the intraLATA calling region, look at your local telephone company bill and see if it is beneficial for you to have Accxx "pick up" this intraLATA service. Not all areas of the USA allow long distance carriers to "pick up" the billing in this intraLATA calling region for toll calls, but you can always call your local telephone company and ask them if they allow intraLATA service to be switched to a long distance carrier. If you want Accxx to exclude picking up the intraLATA toll region, write "EXCLUDE INTRALATA" on the bottom of the form.
If I've got multiple phones in my business (or residence), can I have all the long distance lines transferred? Yes
Can I have only one of the lines transferred over? Yes, that too, but why not save money on all your lines?
How do I pay for long distance calls made through Accxx? You can pay for your monthly bill via check. Bills are payable upon receipt with terms of net 20 days. The long distance bill is separate from your local telephone bill. This separate bill from your local telephone bill is what most persons prefer. A separate bill allows additional billing call details. Accxx's billing is very sophisticated. The default bill is basic call detail along with the bill. This is vastly preferable that having your long distance service itemized on your local telephone bill that some other long distance companies force you to conform to. In addition, if you provide an email address, you can have access to an e-bill. If you have internet access, you are also able to go on line and view/download all the management reports as well as maintain your account, i.e., add a phone number, change your address, etc....
You can also request that your phone bill be automatically paid via your credit card. There is also an option to do checking account direct billing called Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) whereby your checking account is automatically debited for the amount of your monthly bill. The EFT is the wave of the future that many bills be paid, and its been happening now for quite a while in the Electric and Gas utility industry. If you wish to use automatic credit card payments or EFT payments, please give us a call for the appropriate information form. Of course, if you choose to select either credit card payment or EFT, you get a full detail of your monthly phone charges by mail and optionally via e-mail.
Are there any other fees that Accxx charges? Most long distance companies are currently continuing to charge a PICC fee of between $1.53-$3.50 for every long distance line. Accxx charges no PICC fee. There is also a Universal Service Fee (USF) that was imposed on interstate calls during the Clinton administration to pay for services to remote and rural phone areas and for internet services in schools. Most companies are bumping them up to make a profit, that is, tacking on some extra profit onto a federal subsidy charge. Accxx does not. Their USF charge is 8.9%; Sprint and AT&T tack on 9.9% and Worldcom tacks on 12%.
How does Accxx's rates compare to other long distance companies? Here is a table of rates for Accxx and 3 other long distance companies (value in blue is best):
Nights/ |
Weekdays | State Rate (Virginia) |
Monthly |
Billing |
Per Call |
|
| Accxx | 4.99 |
4.99 |
11.9 |
0 |
6 second | 1/100 cent |
| MCI 5 cent Everyday Plus | 5.0 |
7.0 |
12.0 |
$4.95 |
60 second | 1 cent |
| AT&T One Rate 7 cents Plan | 7.0 |
7.0 |
12.0 |
$5.95/$4.95 |
60 second | 1 cent |
| Sprint Nickel Nights | 5.0/10.0 |
10.0 |
10.0 |
$5.95 |
60 second | 1 cent |
(as of 8/1/2000)
The best choice? Accxx is the winner in all categories except for Sprint Nickel Nights for Intrastate calls in Virginia. Other state's comparisons may vary.
How does the toll-free number work? Any single phone line can have a toll-free in-coming number assigned to your regular phone number. No separate phone line is required. For instance, we have our 703-256-8780 telephone number for the business and also have the number 1-800-COSTAR6 (1-800-267-8276), so that customers (like you) can call into our company at no charge to them. Of course, the long distance phone calls are paid by us when the toll-free number). It's all on the same physical phone, so when our customer calls on the toll-free number, our main phone number rings, we pick it up and are connected to our customer.
Is there a disadvantage to a toll-free number? Yes, for every call that is made by someone using our 800 number, we have to pay for that in-coming call -- it's just like we called out to that person and pay for the call we made to them. Because of an October 7, 1997 ruling by the courts, all toll-free calls made from any pay telephone carries a single per-call surcharge and this is for any toll-free number from any long distance carrier. For Accxx, this charge is 29 cents per call for calls made from a pay phone (plus the charge for the time of the in-coming call, of course). Again, no surcharge if call is made from a phone that is not a pay phone. Of course, if you use your telephone to call someone else's toll-free number, there is no charge for using their toll-free number.
Are there any advantages to a toll-free number? At least for business, it has well proven to be positively beneficial to our business. Personally, a toll-free number can be used by an individual to call home, (do you have a son/daughter at college and you would like to have them call home?), or can be used by your teenagers (or younger children) to call home for a pickup when they are at a mall/movie without them having to carry correct change for the pay phone.
Can a private residence have a toll-free number? Sure, no problem.
Why is there an 800, an 888,and a new 877 prefix? Well, the number of 800 numbers available are running out (remember, that for the 800 toll-free area code, there are only 8,999,999 numbers available (100-0000 to 999-9999), so by making another 888 toll-free prefix and another 877, it opened up two additional groups of 8,999,999 numbers. There is also now a new toll-free area code recently released: 866.
Can I get a custom toll-free number? Yes. You can request a custom toll-free number that spells a particular name (like our COSTAR6 custom number), or you can try a number that is identical to the phone number of your existing local phone number. For example, if your main number is 703-256-8780, try the number 877-256-8780. As custom toll-free numbers are getting harder to obtain, we recommend you request a random assigned number. We will make an effort, though, if you still wish to request a custom number. If you are requesting a specific (custom) number, we suggest you only request a toll-free number with the 888 or 877 area code as these are more often available. We ran a statistical analysis and found that on the average, for every 7-digit phone number in the USA, there are approximately 19 other persons that also have that same number, so you are currently "competing" with 19 other persons with your same 7-digit phone number for requesting an 877-xxx-xxxx toll-free custom number. Why not try to get it now as once one of those 19 other persons "grab" it; if its gone, it will probably never again be available!!
How do I know if the custom toll-free number I want is available? There are two methods you can use to see if a number is available:
FIRST METHOD
You can include a group of numbers when you request your long distance service. Some persons just call the number they are trying to get to see if someone answers the phone or it rings, but we don't recommend that as it costs that person you called (if they answer) a small charge for the in-coming call. It's not very fair to the business (or person) who already has that number to have to pay for your hunting for the number you want. But this "hunt" method is really what many people use. Even if you use the "hunt" method to see if the number is available, if you get a "this number is not currently in service" or some similar message, this does not guarantee that that particular number is available. Why? Well, if a toll-free number is given up by a previous individual/business, it goes into a "HOLD: DO NOT ISSUE" state for a period of 6 months before it is released for use back into the database of available numbers. No long distance company can reserve this "HOLD" number, and it is not generally known when this "HOLD" number will be released. This hold period is quite a good idea in that it helps prevent a re-released number issued new to a person/business from getting "tons" of calls for the person/business previously owning that number.
SECOND METHOD
You can check the database as follows. Just dial:
800-337-4194
then you will be prompted to enter a toll-free number to check. Don't forget, that for any 7-digit number you want to try, you can check 800, 888, 877, and 866 area codes. If you are just trying one or two numbers, just follow the "man's" voice prompts (to bypass some of the voice messages, see "Bypassing response messages" found in the third paragraph after here).
There is one of three responses the "man" will tell you:
You can only have a toll-free number that has the #3 response. Although there is no absolute guarantee, there is an excellent chance that that number is available.
Bypassing response messages: If you are going to test a large number of number of toll free numbers, you might want to bypass a lot of the voice response messages. To bypass the unneeded verbal messages:
So, here is an example of what you actually do:
If I already have a toll-free number, can I get that changed over when I switch from my current long distance carrier? Yes. No problem. It just requires a simple written authorization to switch the service, just like you're doing for your long distance service. A physical form is required by EVERY transfer of an existing toll-free number from EVERY long distance company, not just Accxx. And if you ever want to leave your current long distance service provider, you can take this toll-free number to your new carrier, too (although we really want to try our best to maintain you as our customer). Please request the "800 RESPORG" agreement form if you want to switch your existing toll-free number. This form is also available on the forms download page which enables you to print the form directly on your printer. Note: if you have an existing toll-free number that has a PIN number, Accxx cannot switch that number. For example, if you dial 1-800-999-1111 then have to enter an additional 54321 to make the connection, the 800-999-1111 cannot be switched over to Accxx. Why? The 800-999-1111 toll-free number is not owned by you, its owned by the long distance company who might have 100,000 other persons using that same toll-free number.
Is there any fee to get a new toll-free number? No. No fee to either get the number or to hook it (link it) to your local telephone number for a business or a residence phone .
Is there any fee to switch over an existing toll-free number? No. There is no fee for switching an existing business or residential toll-free number.
Is there any monthly fee to have a toll-free number? There is no fee to have a toll-free number. Others may charge a higher per-minute rate than your outgoing 1+ calls but Accxx charges exactly the same rate for your incoming toll-free calls as your 1+ outgoing calls for interstate, intrastate, and intraLATA. Accxx makes it easy to "own" your own toll-free number.
Can I selectively specify what area codes that I can receive calls from on my toll-free number? Yes. You can specify from which area codes you want to receive calls. You can also exclude calls from specific area codes. Why? For example, if you live in Virginia and your daughter is going to college in Buffalo, NY, you can request that the toll-free number be available for calls made from area code 716 (Buffalo, NY). In that way, you would only have calls that would be made from the 716 area. The disadvantage is that if you went on a trip somewhere else, or if your daughter were on a trip home (through Pennsylvania, Maryland, Northern Virginia), you (she) would not be able to call home using the toll-free number. You (or she) could have a calling card, though, that could be used (see later for information about calling cards). You can also specify from just what area codes you do not want to accept calls. In addition, you can also specify the same choices for area codes in Canada.
You mean that I can have anyone in Canada call me on my toll-free number? Yes. But you need to request your toll-free number to have access from Canada either at the time you get your toll-free number or at a later date.
Can I have persons located in other countries call me on my toll-free number? Except for Canada, no. Persons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands can call to your toll-free number, though.
What is the cost of each call for having someone call me on my toll-free number? For interstate domestic calls in the continental USA (47 states), the cost is 4.9 cents/minute interstate. The intrastate toll-free rate (calls made to you from somewhere else within your own state using your toll-free number) is the same as your outgoing 1+ direct dialed intrastate rate (see intrastate rate table). Calls from Alaska are 19 cents/minute; calls from Hawaii are 20 cents/minute; calls from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are 31 cents/minute. For calls from Canada, it costs 22 cents/minute (that's 22 cents in US cents, not Canadian cents). All calls are billed in 6 second increments starting at 6 cents. Remember, you can block (or accept) calls from all of Canada, selectively include or exclude area codes in Canada, or selectively include or exclude any area code(s) in the USA including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands.
Can I have a toll-free number connected to a phone that I do not own? Yes.
Why would I want to do this? Well, lets give a couple of examples:
My mother is 75 years old living alone in Boston. I can get a toll-free number on her phone and "her" toll-free number gets billed to me at my home in Virginia. I can call her when I'm at a friend's house or at the office, when I'm on a business trip, or I can give my daughter and son in college the number so they can occasionally call her from their dorm rooms in Florida and California.
Another example: A lawyer in Chicago has older parents living in a retirement home in Pennsylvania where the phone system is owned by the retirement home. He sets up a toll-free number pointing to the parent's room, then gives his other 4 brothers and sisters (living in Phoenix, Miami, Houston, and Buffalo) the phone number so they can all keep in contact with their parents. The bill for all the phone calls comes to the lawyer.
Can I have more than one toll-free number call in on a single phone number? Yes. You can have several toll-free numbers which will come in on the single phone number.
Why would I want to do this? Well, you could have one toll-free number published in your sales literature for new inquiries to your business, and then provide (or publish) a separate toll-free number to your existing customers for customer service. You then get a detailed cost breakdown for each of the two different toll-free numbers, yet you've only had to provide a single phone for those incoming calls.
Another example is if you are operating a business out of your home, you can give one toll-free number to all of your business customers and have another toll-free number for your personal use. In that way, you monthly bill will nicely separate the business toll-free number calls from your personal toll-free calls.
A final example: Each of two roommates in an apartment provide a separate toll-free number for their respective parents. When each roommate's parents call, the cost of this call is itemized on the monthly bill so they can pay for their respective calls.
Can I have a single toll-free number call in on two different phone numbers? No. But through your LOCAL telephone company, you can have call forwarding on one phone number. Call forwarding is done only by your LOCAL telephone company. When someone calls on your toll-free number going to a specific phone, that phone can call forward to another phone. For example, we have our toll-free number 1-800-267-8276 linked to and coming into our regular phone number 703-256-8780. At 5pm, we punch a few buttons on our local 256-8780 number and transfer all calls to a residential phone (703-354-1745) so we can serve our customers during the evening hours. The call forwarding automatically forwards both local calls made to 256-8780 as well as calls called in on the 800-267-8276 number.
What is a calling card? A calling card is a card, physically about the size of a standard credit card, that can be carried in your wallet/purse. It can be used to call from a site outside of where your business/personal phone is located. You can call from any phone (in the USA) to any other phone in the USA or for outgoing international calls. You cannot use the card from an international country to make calls back to the USA.
Is there any cost to getting a calling card? No. There is no monthly fee, no minimum, no setup fee, and no per-call service fee when you use it. Most of the other "BIG 3" phone companies charge a per call fee that in some cases can be may times the cost of a single call using the Accxx calling card. We had one person get charged a service fee (by one of the "BIG 3") for a 30 second call and the total cost of the call was $1.36. Accxx's card is 14.9 cents/minute interstate, so with Accxx the cost would have been 8 cents.
Why would I want one? Perhaps the best way to describe it is to give you some examples of how we use it:
*Of course, if I have a toll-free number, the call would be less expensive than using a calling card.
Is there any fee to obtain the calling card? No.
Is there any fee if I don't use the calling card? No.
What is the cost per minute for the calling card? 14.9 cents/minute to the 47 contiguous states (including calls made within your own state). Calls within your state are also 14.9 cents/minute.
What are the billing increments and minimum bill per call? Billing is in 60 second increments with a 60 second minimum per connected call.
Can I obtain a calling card if I don't have a 1+ service? Yes. In addition, you are not required to have the calling card if you don't want one.
Is the cost the same for interstate and intrastate calls? Yes.
Is the cost the same no matter what time of day I call? Yes.
Is the cost the same no matter what day of the week I call? Yes.
When comparing long distance phone plans, what are the "things" to look out for? The following 8 questions are related to long distance phone plan comparisons when comparing other carriers:
Is there any monthly billing service fee with Accxx? No.
What about all the 10-10-321 or other 7-digit advertisements currently seen on TV, or similar types of ads I get in the mail? What kind of deals do they usually have? On TV, look at the fine print flashing by the bottom of the screen. First, they generally bill in 60 second increments. On some plans, there is a $4.95 or $5.95 fee charged every calendar month even if you use that service just once during the month. And who really wants to dial 7 digits to make every long distance call!!! In addition, the rate quoted is generally only for interstate rates; the rate for intrastate are usually very high compared to Accxx, and it may be impossible to find out what you will be charged for those intrastate rates. For example, what number do you call to find the intrastate rate and who do you call if you have a problem?
One deal has a special rate of $0.99 for 20 minutes then 10 cents/minute after the 20 minutes. Great rate. But if you get the answering machine of the person you are calling, you are still charged the 99 cents, so now your "deal" is 99 cents for your 30 second message -- that is an equivalent rate of $1.98 per minute for the call, quite a bit higher than 4.9 cents per minute with Accxx. Yes, you could get your money's worth and talk 20 minutes to the answering machine but...
Why do the "BIG 3" charge so much for long distance services? They have big TV, magazine, newspaper, and other advertising budgets to pay for, therefore, the customers they sign up for their long distance service pay a higher long distance phone call rate. They sometimes offer their discount plans for a short period of time (6 months?) then flip the user to their regular higher rates. On some plans they restrict their special (7 cents/minute?) to specific hours of the day (7pm-7am?). They usually charge a monthly service fee (7 cents/minute + $5.95 fee = a lot higher than 4.9 cents/minute with no fee). Just look at the small print on the bottom of the TV in white letters on a white background -- ads that flash by in seconds . Of course they seldom tell you this verbally in the TV ad. They almost never tell you the specific intrastate rate for calls you make within your particular state, just the interstate rate, and where do you call to ask them about their intrastate rates? The intrastate rates are usually very high, sometimes 2 even 3 times more expensive than Accxx's intrastate rates. They often restrict their special rates to only residential homes (no businesses). Again, there is no day of the week, time of the day, or residential/business restrictions with Accxx.
If I sign up for Accxx, can I still use a 7-digit code to access another long distance service? Yes
Why would I want to do this? For example, if you get a great domestic rate from Accxx (the 4.9 rate) but find that the one international country that you occasionally call is more expensive through Accxx than that of "XXX" long distance company, if you enter the "XXX" long distance company's 7-digit "PICC" number (or sometimes called "casual calling" or "dial-around"), that call will then go through "XXX"'s system instead of Accxx. Normally, the "XXX" call will be itemized and billed on a separate page on your local telephone bill and Accxx will (generally) not know that you placed that call through "XXX". Note that if you have any problem, then, with the "dial-around" call that you placed (bad number, static, dropped line, wrong rate), you need to deal directly with the "XXX", not with Accxx.
Lets compare one of the best advertised 10-10-220 plans heavily advertised on TV: "20 minutes for under a buck" -- actually: 99 cents) Which is better: 10-10-220 or Accxx? Here is a table ranging from 1 through 20 minutes with the actual cost between the two plans:
|
Accxx |
10-10-220 |
1 minute |
4.99 |
99 |
2 minutes |
9.98 |
99 |
3 minutes |
14.97 |
99 |
4 minutes |
19.96 |
99 |
5 minutes |
24.95 |
99 |
6 minutes |
29.94 |
99 |
7 minutes |
34.93 |
99 |
8 minutes |
39.92 |
99 |
9 minutes |
44.91 |
99 |
10 minutes |
49.9 |
99 |
11 minutes |
54.89 |
99 |
12 minutes |
59.88 |
99 |
13 minutes |
64.87 |
99 |
14 minutes |
69.86 |
99 |
15 minutes |
74.85 |
99 |
16 minutes |
79.84 |
99 |
17 minutes |
84.83 |
99 |
18 minutes |
89.82 |
99 |
19 minutes |
94.81 |
99 |
20 minutes |
99.8 |
99 |
As you can see from the table, the 10-10-220 only gains an advantage over Accxx at exactly 20 minutes. At 19.8 minutes, Accxx is less that 10-10-220 (98.8 cents vs 99 cents), and at 20.1 minutes Accxx is also less than 10-10-220 (100.3 cents vs 106 cents), so the only time 10-10-220 has an advantage is at exactly 19.9 and at 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, the calls for 10-10-220 are 7 cents/minute, so for every minute after 20 minutes, the 10-10-220 is 40.1% higher per minute than Accxx.
Are there any credit checks done when establishing an account? Generally, a credit check may be done after the Letter Of Authorization (technically called "LOA") is received, or if submitted on the internet, just after submission, to make sure that the long distance charges will be paid in a timely manner. This is one of the ways the long distance rates can be kept low.
How long does it take to get service? The order is normally input within 48 hours of receipt, or if you sign up on line, immediately. If approved, it is electronically sent to your local telephone company. Your local telephone company may take anywhere between 5-7 business days to switch, and this would be the same for any change you make through any long distance carrier. The average time (no guarantee here) to switch is usually about 2-4 days after your local telephone company electronically receives the request for transfer. You do not have to do anything to cancel your old long distance service. As only one long distance company can be chosen at one time, a switch to Accxx cancels your 1+ outbound service to your old long distance company. Note that you will get a bill from your old long distance company for calls made up to the time when Accxx is switched (including their normal monthly service charge if your old company has one for that last partial month). Your old long distance company may charge you your monthly service fee if you also have calling cards with that old company, so make sure that you write to them requesting cancellation of your old company's calling card(s). Accxx has calling cards, too, so why not get an Accxx calling card. Contact us for information on how to obtain a calling card. Its simple.
Is there a way to prevent another long distance company from switching me without my authorization? Yes. You can call your local telephone company and ask them to put a PICC (pronounced "pick") freeze on your phone line, but make sure you are switched over to Accxx before you put on a PICC freeze.
What is a PICC freeze? A PICC freeze is a method whereby you can prevent the unauthorized switching of your long distance service by another long distance company. Some long distance companies (and some agents for those companies) are notorious for switching you to their service without your authorization. Some companies might try to switch you back to your original service without your authorization once you switch to Accxx. A PICC freeze prevents this from happening. Make sure you request it to be put on all the phones you may have in your home/business. I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU PLACE A PICC FREEZE ON ALL YOUR PHONES ONCE YOU ARE SURE YOU ARE ON ACCXX'S SYSTEM.
How do I set up a PICC freeze (its pronounced "pick")? Just call up your local telephone company (not Accxx) AFTER you have been switched and on-line with Accxx. When you call, just tell the local phone company person that you want to put a PICC freeze on your phone line(s). In almost all cases, there should be no charge to do this and in most cases this can be done over the phone although some states are now requiring your local telephone company to require a written request.
What if I already have a PICC freeze on my line? Just call your local telephone company and ask for them to lift the PICC freeze. This should be done at the time you submit your request for Accxx's long distance service. This allows Accxx's submission of your new long distance service to be done by your local telephone company. After you know you are on Accxx's service, just request your local telephone company to put the PICC freeze back on so that you won't get "slammed" by any long distance carrier.
What if I want to change long distance phone companies after putting on this PICC freeze? In most cases, a PICC freeze can be lifted by a phone call to your local telephone company. A few local phone companies now require a written request to add/release a PICC Freeze.
Is a PICC freeze required for toll-free numbers? No. The reason? Any changes to an existing toll-free number already requires a written RESPORG agreement change form, so no long distance phone company can "slam" your toll-free number ("slam" is the technical term for unauthorized switching a long distance phone company).
What if I see a legitimate rate that is lower than 4.9 cents/minute? Let us know and we'll check it out. Please contact us as rates do change. We'll see if we can better that rate and let you know; we will try to better that rate. So don't just make a quick "jump" to another carrier without giving us a call -- we work hard to keep you as a customer and offer you a personal one-on-one service that you don't normally find in other long distance companies.
How often would I get a bill? Billing is done monthly to the indicated billing address. This is separate from your phone bill, so you're not mixing local phone company service charges for local services with your long distance call charges. Most persons/businesses prefer this billed separately, because it gives better control of your charges and more details of calls than "tacking" it onto your local bill. If you don't choose monthly billing (where you get a bill in the mail then pay that bill by check/money order), with the option of automatic credit card or automatic checking account debit (EFT), you'll still get a monthly statement as to the details of the calls you made. You will also be able to see your bill as an e-bill on the internet.
Do I have access to my account on the internet? Yes. Once you have your first phone number set up, you have control of your account for almost all things you might want to do with your account.
What can I do or see through the internet? Here are some of the things you can do/see:
Intrastate calls (calls made from your phone to other phones within your same state) are billed under a different rate than interstate calls (calls made outside of your state to any of the other 47 states). Sometimes this rate may be below the 4.9 cents per minute interstate rate; sometimes this rate may be higher. The rates quoted below are billed in 6 second increments with an 18 second minimum per connected call. If you do a lot of really short calls, Accxx does have a plan with a 6 second minimum per connected call instead of 18 seconds minimum, but the rate is at 5.5 cents/minute interstate (same intrastate rate from the below table).
The ACC column is the intrastate price that Accxx offers. If most of your calls are intrastate AND there is a blue price listed in th RSL column, e.g., 5.9, we do have a company that offers this blue rate with a 4.9 cents/minute interstate and no monthly fee. Click on the blue rate to go directly to that web page describing that company. If there is only a black rate listed, then Accxx has the lowest intrastate. You don't need to be concerned with a lower intrastate rate if you do most of your calls outside of your state, so ignore this table if you call mostly outside your state.
State |
ACC |
RSL |
State |
ACC |
RSL |
State |
ACC |
RSL |
5.9 |
|
10.9 |
|
5.5 |
|
|||
19.9 |
Maryland |
7.9 |
|
9.9 |
||||
Arkansas |
9.9 |
9.9 |
10.9 |
|
||||
California |
4.9 |
3.9 |
|
8.9 |
||||
12.9 |
|
9.9 |
|
7.9 |
|
|||
................Connecticut |
9.9 |
5.9 |
|
10.9 |
|
|||
7.9 |
14.9 |
|
10.9 |
|
||||
9.9 |
12.9 |
5.9 |
|
|||||
5.9 |
|
11.9 |
|
Texas |
9.9 |
|
||
Idaho |
19.9 |
7.9 |
|
8.5 |
|
|||
3.9 |
|
................New Hampshire |
12.9 |
11.9 |
|
|||
5.9 |
|
6.9 |
|
11.9 |
||||
8.9 |
|
23.9 |
10.9 |
|
||||
Kansas |
9.9 |
|
8.9 |
15.9 |
||||
5.9 |
|
9.9 |
|
4.9 |
|
|||
5.9 |
|
15.9 |
|
6.9 |
|
The international rates from Accxx are one of the lowest in the industry -- very competitive when compared to other long distance carriers. International calls are billed in 6 second billing increments with a 30 second minimum per connected call and are billed at a flat rate, i.e., the same rate 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. In addition, there is no monthly fee to get these great rates. Here are a few of the more common country's regular rate in cents/minute (add 99/10,000ths of a dollar per minute ($0.0099) to the below rates, for example, Australia would be $0.0899 cents/minute or 8.99 cents/minute):.
Australia: 8 Hong Kong: 7 Netherlands: 7 Switzerland: 7 Brazil (Rio): 11 Hungary: 25 New Zealand: 7.6 Taiwan: 11 Canada: 6 Ireland: 7 Russia (Moscow): 8 UK: 5.6 Denmark: 7 Israel: 13 Singapore: 7 Venezuela (Caracas): 19 France: 7 Italy: 7.6 Spain: 7 Vietnam: $1.39 Germany: 6 Japan: 10 Sweden: 6 Zaire: 49
For rates to all international countries (the 99/10,000ths of a dollar has been added in these tables), CLICK HERE.
In order to transfer your current long distance service, you can either sign-up on-line, or you can fill out a short application. This application for service agreement is called a Letter Of Authorization (LOA). Switching your phone numbers without your authorization is called "slamming". It is illegal, and carries with it a very heavy fine for those companies who switch your long distance service without your authorization to do so.
Do I get a notification when I apply for service? Yes, you get a welcome letter from Accxx.
Can I sign up on-line? You can sign up on-line if you don't want or need special features. To see the special features which might pertain to your switching long distance service,
| CLICK HERE |
So is it simple to switch over? Yes. You can actually print out the application form, sign it, and send it (fax or mail) all in a single step. This is the preferred method as long as you have a fairly good laser or bubble jet printer. This method cannot be used if you only have a dot matrix printer.
So, you can choose one of the four following methods for requesting Accxx long distance service:
![[Image]](one.gif){kind=small}
DOWNLOAD THE FORMS, PRINT THEM, and FILL THEM OUT method
If you have a word processor and printer, you can download the word processing file that contains the form.
First, download the form. To download the form, CLICK HERE
Second, open the form in your word processor, print the form, then fill out the printed form (an instruction sheet is also provided when you download the form).
Third, either fax or mail the form to us.
Then go to: ...the rest of the story
![[Image]](two.gif){kind=small}
E-mail us at:
costar@costar.net
Then go to:
...the rest of the
story
![[Image]](three.gif){kind=small}
Request the forms by mail:
CTS, Incorporated of Virginia
![[Image]](four.gif){kind=small}
Phone: 1-800-267-8276
Then go to:
...the rest of the
story
That's it. Takes about 10 minutes total of your time to save money on 1+, toll-free, and international calls and calling cards. Except for the equal or better quality lines (and of course your savings), you should not notice the transition to the new long distance service. We have a very high retention rate for customers switching, and so we expect to have you as a customer for a long time -- we will work to meet your expectations.
Note that until you physically sign the LOA and send it to us (mail/fax), we will not switch you to the new long distance telephone service unless you choose the on-line order process.
*The fine print (the legal stuff):
In applying for service, certain restrictions may apply; savings may vary depending on what are your current rates. Charges will be billed by Accxx and there is no monthly service charge.
Rates quoted are for interstate calls only. All rates provided on this web page are carried out to the 4th decimal place by adding 9/1000ths of a dollar, e.g., a rate of 4.9 cents is $0.0499. Unlike every other long distance company, to our knowledge, Accxx calculates each call out to the 4th digit. For example, 1.1 interstate minutes x 0.0499/minute = 0.05489 rounded to the thousands of a dollar = 0.0549 or 5.49 cents. Even with a long distance company that bills a true 4.9 cents/minute, the calculated value would be 1.1 x 4.9 = 5.39, then they would round to the next higher cent which would be 6 cents while at Accxx, the call would be 5.49 cents. You can tell on your current long distance bill that they round up to the next higher cent by doing the calculation: multiply the minutes and tenths of minutes of a single call by their quoted rates and you'll see that this is the case. Please inform us if your current long distance company does NOT round up to the next higher cent so we can change this statement if not correct. All information/prices subject to change. Call if you have any questions. You can make intrastate, intraLATA, and international calls at other low Accxx rates. All domestic calls to the 48 contiguous states are billed in 6 second billing increments with an 18 second minimum. International calls are billed in 6 second billing increments with a 30 second minimum. Calling card calls are billed in 60 second billing increments with an 60 second minimum and no per-call surcharge on calls. For toll-free numbers and calling cards, calls made from a pay phone incur a 29 cent per call charge plus the quoted interstate or intrastate rate.
End of the fine print (the legal stuff).
If you have any questions, please give us a call at: 1-800-267-8276 9am-11pm Mon-Sat or Sunday from 1pm-11pm, fax us at: 1-888-810-3200 (24 hours), or e-mail us at: costar@costar.net
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